10 movies on Netflix with strong female leads
There have been movies with strong female leads almost as long as motion pictures have been produced. From Scarlett O’Hara at ‘Gone with the Wind’ to Elizabeth Taylor at ‘Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf’, many actresses have delivered incredible on-screen performances, giving us a look into complex, intriguing, and inspiring women characters.
With the countless streaming sites available today, it’s not too challenging to find a great film portraying a woman or girl in a powerful and prominent role.
Today, Moonshot News has rounded up a selection of movies with very inspiring and strong female leads that are available on Netflix and you can watch them now!
1. Marriage Story
Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Noah Baumbach directs this incisive and compassionate look at a marriage coming apart and a family staying together. Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson are terrific as a couple facing the awful aftermath of their relationship in this heartfelt drama. If you need a good ugly cry, this one’s for you!
IMDb score: 7.9
2. Pieces of a woman
A heartbreaking home birth leaves a woman grappling with the profound emotional fallout, isolated from her partner and family by a chasm of grief. ‘Pieces of a Woman’ is a gripping drama about grief that delivers an astounding performance by Vanessa Kirby.
IMDb score: 7.1
3. Malcolm & Marie
John David Washington and Zendaya star in this drama as a film director and his girlfriend who contend with revelations about their relationship following Malcolm’s movie premiere. Perhaps the highlight of Sam Levinson’s movie is Zendaya’s performance, who proves again that she can add depth to everything she does.
IMDb score: 6.7
4. The Edge of Seventeen
Hailee Steinfeld shines in this hilarious coming-of-age comedy that explores the ups and downs of female friendship in high school. Steinfeld’s committed performance as a troubled high-school junior and Woody Harrelson’s deft turn, as a teacher who helps her, make this movie worth watching.
IMDb score: 7.3
5. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. When her secret love letters somehow get mailed to each of her five crushes, Lara Jean finds her quiet high school existence turned upside down. Jenny Han’s bestselling novel meets the big screen in this movie that not only focuses on Laura Jean’s (Lana Condor) love life but also her ever-evolving relationships with her best friend and sisters.
IMDb score: 7.1
6. Julie & Julia
Julia Child’s story of her start in the cooking profession is intertwined with blogger Julie Powell’s 2002 challenge to cook all the recipes in Child’s first book. Julie & Julia combines the success stories of two different American women and the life lessons that they have conveyed to women everywhere. A movie with wonderful performances by two great actresses, Meryl Streep and Amy Adams.
IMDb score: 7.0
7. Lost Girls
Based on the book of the same name by Robert Kolker, this mystery film tells the true story of a mother who relentlessly pushed law enforcement agents to search for her missing daughter, helping to uncover a series of unsolved murders, where the victims were all young women sex workers.
IMDb score: 6.1
8. Tallulah
Desperate to get rid of her toddler, a dissatisfied Manhattan housewife hires a stranger to babysit and ends up getting much more than she bargained for. A movie about the intangible sacrifice and stresses of motherhood, starring Ellen Page and Golden Globe winner Allison Janney.
IMDb score: 6.7
9. Mudbound
Dee Rees’ rich, absorbing story set in pre- and postwar Mississippi and based on Hillary Jordan’s novel is beautifully directed and performed. Mary J. Blige and Carey Mulligan portray two household matriarchs who develop an unconventional friendship in this critically acclaimed historical drama.
IMDb score: 7.4
10. Otherhood
A grounded, soulful, celebratory comedy about three mothers and their adult sons. The film explores the stage after motherhood, Otherhood, when you have to redefine your relationship with your children, friends, spouse, and most importantly, yourself.
IMDb score: 6.1
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